Alta Labs provides a controller-based network (a.k.a. “Software defined network” or SDN) ecosystem.  But what is a controller-based network?

Controller-Based Networks

In a controller-based network, the intelligence for managing access points (APs), switches, routers, and other devices communicate with a central controller. This controller may be a cloud-managed platform, dedicated on-premises appliance, and/or a virtualized software instance.

The controller handles tasks such as:

• Authentication and security policies
• Centralized configuration and firmware updates
• RF (radio frequency) optimization and channel assignment
• Roaming coordination between access points
• Advanced analytics, monitoring, and troubleshooting
• Drop-in hardware replacements, typically with zero configuration required

In essence, the controller acts as the “brain” of the network, while individual APs and devices act as lightweight endpoints.  The controller is the source of the configuration and that configuration is then pushed to the relevant devices.

Non-Controller-Based Networks

A non-controller-based network, or individually-managed network, operates without a central controller. Each device—whether an access point or a switch—manages its own configuration and functionality.

In this model:

• Configuration is done individually on each device
• Firmware updates must be applied device by device
• Roaming support and RF optimization are limited or nonexistent
• Monitoring and troubleshooting require distributed tools or manual processes
• Hardware failures will require a backup or, if there is no backup, a manual rebuild of the configuration for the device that failed

This approach may be simpler in small networks, depending on the vendor and hardware being used, but becomes harder to maintain as the environment grows.

Key Differences

Pros and Cons of Controller-Based Networks

Pros:

• Centralized management saves time and reduces errors
• Simplified large-scale deployments
• Stronger security and compliance enforcement
• Advanced features like seamless roaming, load balancing, and auto channel assignment
• Rich analytics for troubleshooting and optimization
• Drop-in hardware replacement
• Drop-in hardware addition
   

Cons:

• May require specialized expertise to configure and maintain, depending on the vendor
• May require licensing cost, depending on the vendor

Pros and Cons of Non-Controller-Based Networks

Pros:

• Lower cost; no need for a dedicated controller appliance or subscription, which doesn’t apply to Alta as all controller options we offer are free
• Simple setup for small environments
• Devices are not dependent on a controller to function, which doesn’t fully apply to Alta, 98%+ of the features will continue to work even if the controller is down for any reason
   

Cons:

• Management overhead increases with network size
• Lack of advanced roaming features can affect user experience in mobile-heavy environments
• Limited security, visibility, and troubleshooting tools
• Scaling beyond a few APs or switches quickly becomes impractical